Gas Prices Post A Hefty Increase

Gasoline prices in Florida surged an average of nearly 6 cents a gallon in May, the largest monthly increase since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the American Automobile Association said Thursday.

''The increase is significant, but expected this time of year,'' said Tom Schroder, manager of public affairs for AAA Clubs of Florida, based in Heathrow north of Orlando. ''The summer driving season is here, and it has created a greater demand for gas.''

AAA industry analysts said that while gas prices likely will continue to rise as demand increases in June, the rate of increase probably will slow.

A weak economy kept gas prices from rising as they typically do early in the year, and that may have contributed to the recent surge as the economy improved, said Bill Dodd, AAA's director of governmental affairs.

The survey showed regular unleaded self-service gasoline, the most popular type and grade, averaged $1.098 a gallon, 5.6 cents higher than last month. In September 1990, the month after Iraq invaded Kuwait, prices jumped 11 cents a gallon to $1.31.